CHICAGO (WLS) — Changes could be coming to the public transit system around the Chicagoland area as the CTA, Metra and Pace face a combined $771 million budget shortfall in 2026.

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They are warning of service cuts as high as 40% without new revenue coming from the state.

Part of the change may include limiting CTA bus and rail service lines to only operate between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

CTA leaders talked about the importance of the funding in Tuesday’s town hall meeting.

“We estimate that the service cuts we would be forced to make would result in 9.1 million hours lost by Chicagoans waiting for less frequent bus and rail service,” CTA leaders said.

Roughly one million people ride buses and trains each day.

“It’s really a tough detriment to the city,” commuter Matt said. “Hope they don’t do it.”

While lawmakers negotiate budget shortfalls, CTA claim Illinois is already struggling with transportation funding compared to the rest of the country.

Officials are also contemplating a 10-cent hike in fare prices for Metra, Pace and CTA to compensate for the shortfall, something riders say would be quite frustrating.

“There’s always money to be found,” Matt said. “Unfortunately, things are being prioritized over other needs that’s something that probably needs to be reevaluated.”

Negotiations will continue as state lawmakers return to session next month.